Group's focus is to offer more music opportunities for Eureka Springs students

Chad Martin's Middle School music students Sydney Burks, Sabrina Wages and Mara Adam play "Musette." Photo by Chip Ford [Order this photo]

EUREKA SPRINGS -- With help from a number of quarters, the Eureka Springs Music Boosters Club hopes to help give students more opportunities in music education.

The group organized a meeting April 20 of parents, teachers, school board members and officials to talk about getting more help for students.

Boosters President Jennifer Boardman said there are six parents involved in the group this year, as well as some community members who come to the meetings.

She said the group called the meeting to learn how curriculum and scheduling operate so they can complement what the school is doing.

The "core curriculum" for graduation credits includes math, science, English, foreign language, physical education, health, social studies and fine arts.

Only one-half credit in the four years is required in fine arts. Courses can be in theater and dance, instrumental and vocal performance, art, art history and music theory.

"Music appreciation, band and choir is on the schedule this year," said Superintendent Wayne Carr.

He said that in high school, students fulfilling their graduation requirements takes priority, and they have a myriad of choices for whatever time they have left.

Chad Martin, who teaches the music program at both the middle and high schools, said he lost 15 students who couldn't be in band this year because of scheduling conflicts.

Middle school Principal Linda Trice said scheduling is a nightmare.

"We started in April of last year and we're still doing scheduling," she said.

"We may have 70 offerings, and if you change one thing, you have to make 70 changes," Carr added.

He acknowledged in the four years since Martin started, "the program has been growing by leaps and bounds."

At the high school, there are 10 students in band, four in choir and five in music appreciation.

The middle school has 52 students spread out among sixth, seventh and eighth grade band classes.

It is sometimes difficult for Martin to work effectively with all those students.

He said he had put a lot of thought into the progression of the program. At the high school level, students are doing some music arranging, and everyone will do some composing. But that is for more advanced students. The beginners need a different emphasis.

"The key is splitting it up between beginning, middle and advanced students," he said. "In one class I had 10 different instruments, so when I was teaching the flute player, nine to 10 others had to sit quietly and wait."

He said beginning students just need basic help on how to play their instrument.

"Initially I need a clarinet player who can make a daily commitment," he said. "It needs to be consistent or it's not helpful."

Boosters members asked whether another teacher could be hired.

Carr said a full-time teacher might not fit into the budget, but there may be room for a teacher's aide.

Meeting after school was also discussed.

"If the (band) sections could get together, that would help," Martin said. How to coordinate transportation for that was brought up.

"It would be parents' responsibility to arrange for transportation," said Jamie Dickelman. "They do it for every other sport."

Music Boosters has helped in a lot of ways, raising funds to buy band uniforms and helping transport students and instruments to various events.

Carr said funding for the music program had increased from $9,000 in his first year as superintendent to $14,000, and he thinks they can maintain that level for next year.

Boardman said she'd like to see more parents get involved with Music Boosters.

She also appealed to the community in general to help with fund-raisers or at least to attend them as well as making donations. The Boosters are looking at attaining 501(c)3 status so people can make tax deductible donations. Even if people could donate instruments, that would help.

The Boosters would like to bring guest performers in for school assemblies and offer scholarships.

The group also discussed appealing to the community of musicians to help out.

"This an arts community," Martin said. "I believe in my heart people want to see a strong music program. There's a lot of talent in this town."

Jim Swiggart, who helped get the Berryville student band going, offered to advise Eureka on what has worked.

"The key thing is the parents, and you have them today," he said.

John and Mary Dolce, members of the Carroll County Music Group, which helps promote music education in the county, with special emphasis on young musicians, were also at the meeting.

Those who might be interested in helping out with the music program can contact Chad Martin at the high school at (479) 253-8875 or Jennifer Boardman at 253-5064.